Saltzman Says...Bay Area Bullets 10/27/2011

• 49ers are coming off a bye week at 5-1, with a three game lead in the NFC West and the Cleveland Browns coming into town.  Even Jim Harbaugh had no idea they could be in the driver seat this much.  "Who's does it better than us?  NOBODY!"  I guess not.
• Raiders head into their bye week with more questions than answers despite a mostly successful first half.  Injuries to key players, including Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden, and the big news of Carson Palmer have turned an up and coming team, back into the Raiders again.  Can Hue Jackson turn the ship around once again...stay tuned.
• Warriors will be having a charity basketball game at San Jose State November 5th.  Matt Barnes has organized a 'We Believe' team vs the current Warriors.  Baron Davis and Monta Ellis have not confirmed attending however.
• Let the cost cutting begin, as the A's cut Michael Wuertz, who would have earned $3.25 million.
• A's might be buying 5 acres of land cheap near HP Pavilion.  The city of San Jose must approve the purchase, as well as Major League Baseball.
• Despite a record of 8-12-14, the Earthquakes only have 1 loss in their last 5 games.
• Stanford takes on USC Saturday at 5pm on ABC.  This will do a lot to determine who has the upper hand in the PAC-12.

Will HP Pavilion have a new neighbor from Oakland?

Saltzman Says...ON Twitter!!

SaltzmanSays is now on Twitter

Get all the latest Bay Area Sports Updates.  See the latest August Waiver Wire news for the A's and Giants.  Check out the latest free agent news on the 49ers and Raiders.  Check out the latest on the Warriors and Sharks off-season, and keep up with all the local college teams. 

Saltzman Says...Latest Bay Area Tweets

Just for fun
Latest from guys we like to boo (courtesy of Jerry Crasnick)
@jcrasnick: Mat Latos tells XX-1090 radio in SD that when #Padres trade Heath Bell, "This will become a heartless clubhouse." Yikes. #trades
1 hour ago

San Francisco 49ers
Latest from Matt Maiocco on the 49ers
@MaioccoCSN: Heitmann started 114 games at three different line positions. Nedney leaves as most accurate kicker in 49ers' history. http://bit.ly/qBjbEK
1 hour ago

@MaioccoCSN: The 49ers have released/failed physical two respected veterans: OL Eric Heitmann (neck) and K Je Nedney (knee).
1 hour ago

Oakland Raiders
Latest from Adam Schefter on the Raiders
@AdamSchefter: More Bengals moves: Former Raiders LB Thomas Howard reached agreement with Cincinnati on a two year, $6.5 million contract.

@AdamSchefter: Seattle reached agreement with former #Raiders Robert Gallery on 3-year deal. Gallery and Tom Cable reunite.

San Francisco Giants
Latest from Andrew Baggarly on the Giants
@extrabaggs: Maybe Giants should hang onto Dan Runzler.  Tonight for Fresno: 5 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, niiiiiiiiine strikeouts.
12 hours ago

@extrabaggs: If, and this is a big if, the Giants have Eric Surkamp make big league debut Sunday, it'd be in his hometown.  Surkamp is a Moeller HS kid.
18 hours ago

Eric Surkamp is having as good a year as any pitcher for the Giants

Latest from Zach Wheeler on leaving the Giants
@Wheelerpro45: Thanks to all my teammates that I've had with the giants. Couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. I'll miss you guys.
22 hours ago

@Wheelerpro45: Thanks to all my San Fran fans who have been nothing but good to me
23 hours ago

Saltzman Says...Football is back

With the lockout officially over, I can finally start talking about the NFL again.  I refused to provide my two cents during the millionaires vs billionaires slap fight.

San Francisco 49ers: With the Free Agency period under way, things aren't looking so good for the men in Gold.

1. Alex Smith was re-signed for $5 million.  The 49ers seem to never learn from the previous 6 seasons.  Smith will not be a good QB no matter who is calling the plays.  You can dress up a turd, but it is still a turd.
2. Takeo Spikes, the emotional leader and second best LB on the team is leaving to reunite with departed defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in San Diego.  With Harbaugh and his staff comes a great loss to the defense.
3. Frank Gore is planning to holdout.  Gore has one year left on his contract and wants more money.  Running backs tend to wear down as they get older more than any other position, and the most valuable offensive player now plans to miss even more time on the field in the off-season.
4. The team also lost center David Baas to the New York Giants.

Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders started the shortened off-season with 17 free agents, many more than they had initally anticipated.

1. The list of 17 include offensive leader Zach Miller, who is team's only reliable threat in the passing game.  
2. Nnamdi Asomugha, arguably the best cover corner in football is as good as gone in free agency.
3. With all of that, the Raiders are well over the new cap.

All in all, things are not looking good for our two Bay Area pro football teams.  Things can turn around, but we will see.

Saltzman Says...Top 100 Players of 2011

Here is the players vote of the top 100 players of 2011

Here is my list of the top 100 NFL Players right now.  I am using a simple criteria.  If the NFL had to be re-drafted, who would be the first 100 players picked.  This will emphasize age along with everything else.

(Draft Order based on All-Time Wins)

1. Chicago Bears (704) - Aaron Rodgers, QB
2. Green Bay Packers (664) - Tom Brady, QB
3. New York Giants (636) - Peyton Manning, QB
4. Washington Redskins (547) - DeMarcus Ware, OLB
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (546) - Drew Brees, QB
6. St. Louis Rams (511) - Darrelle Revis, CB
7. San Francisco 49ers (509) - Adrian Peterson, RB
8. Philadelphia Eagles (509) - Ray Lewis, MLB
9. Detroit Lions (496) - Patrick Willis, MLB
10. Arizona Cardinals (488) - Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
11. Cleveland Browns (485) - Clay Matthews, OLB
12. Indianapolis Colts (451) - Joe Thomas, LT
13. Dallas Cowboys (440) - Jake Long, LT
14. Oakland Raiders (418) - Larry Fitzgerald, WR
15. Minnesota Vikings (413) - Troy Polamalu, SS
16. New England Patriots (401) - Dwight Freeney, DE
17. Denver Broncos (398) - Ed Reed, FS
18. Kansas City Chiefs (395) - Charles Woodson, CB
19. Miami Dolphins (394) - Andre Johnson, WR
20. San Diego Chargers (384) - Chris Johnson, RB
21. Tennessee Titans (377) - Julius Peppers, DE
22. Buffalo Bills (358) - Philip Rivers, QB
23. New York Jets (351) - Haloti Ngata, NT
24. Atlanta Falcons (289) - Calvin Johnson, WR
25. New Orleans Saints (286) -Reggie Wayne, WR
26. Cincinnati Bengals (286) - Jonathan Vilma, MLB
27. Seattle Seahawks (262) - Antonio Gates, TE
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (218) - Jason Witten, TE
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (133) - Ben Roethlisberger, QB
30. Baltimore Ravens (128) - Matt Ryan, QB
31. Carolina Panthers (119) - Roddy White, WR
32. Houston Texans (55) -Michael Turner, RB

2nd Round
33. Bears - Brian Urlacher, MLB
34. Packers - Mario Williams, DE
35. Giants - Steven Jackson, RB
36. Redskins - Dwayne Bowe, WR
37. Steelers - Vince Wilfork, NT
38. Rams - Michael Vick, QB
39. 49ers - Champ Bailey, CB
40. Eagles - Nick Mangold, C
41. Lions - Marques Colston, WR
42. Cardinals - Justin Tuck, DE
43. Browns - Ndamukong Suh, DT
44. Colts - Wes Welker, WR
45. Cowboys - Jamaal Charles, RB
46. Raiders - DeSean Jackson, WR
47. Vikings - Maurice Jones-Drew, RB
48. Patriots - Greg Jennings, WR
49. Broncos - James Harrison, OLB
50. Chiefs - LaMarr Woodley, OLB
51. Dolphins - Trent Cole, DE
52. Chargers - B.J. Raji, NT
53. Titans - Jay Ratliff, DT
54. Bills - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LT
55. Jets - Terrell Suggs, OLB
56. Falcons - Asante Samuel, CB
57. Saints - Robert Mathis, DE
58. Bengals - Ray Rice, RB
59. Seahawks - Jahri Evans, T
60. Buccaneers - Andre Gurode, C
61. Jaguars - Dallas Clark, TE
62. Ravens - Casey Hampton, NT
63. Panthers - Logan Mankins, G
64. Texans - Tony Romo, QB

3rd Round
65. Bears - Brian Waters, G
66. Packers - Brian Orakpo, OLB
67. Giants - Lance Briggs, MLB
68. Redskins - Chris Snee, G
69. Steelers - Frank Gore, RB
70. Rams - Tamba Hali, DE
71. 49ers - Jerod Mayo, MLB
72. Eagles - Tony Gonzalez, TE
73. Lions - Jared Allen, DE 
74. Cardinals - Vernon Davis, TE 
75. Browns - Miles Austin, WR
76. Colts - Darnell Dockett, DT
77. Cowboys - Brian Cushing, MLB
78. Raiders - Jon Beason, MLB
79. Vikings - John Abraham, DE
80. Patriots - Adrian Wilson, SS
81. Broncos - Steve Hutchinson, G 
82. Chiefs - Brandon Marshall, WR
83. Dolphins - Shaun Phillips, OLB
84. Chargers - Richard Seymour, DE
85. Titans - Antrel Rolle, S
86. Bills - Darren McFadden, RB
87. Jets - Matt Schaub, QB
88. Falcons - Kevin Williams, DT
89. Saints - Arian Foster, RB
90. Bengals - Osi Umenyiora, DE
91. Seahawks - London Fletcher, MLB
92. Buccaneers - Jordan Gross, LT
93. Jaguars - Justin Smith, DE
94. Ravens - Devin Hester, WR
95. Panthers - Joe Flacco, QB
96. Texans - Cameron Wake, OLB

4th Round
97. Bears - Maurkice Pouncey, C
98. Packers - Jason Peters, LT
99. Giants - Jeff Saturday, C
100. Redskins - Eli Manning, QB

Saltzman Says...Bay Area Bullets

• Hard Luck Cain - Matt Cain pitched 7 1/3 last night, allowing 2 runs, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead.  Juan Uribe got the big hit, a 2 out, full count double to left center off of Brian Wilson in the bottom of the eighth.  

• Cody Ross is Boss Again? - Cody Ross hit a three run home run in the 9th to give the Giants a 8-5 win after blowing a 5-2 lead in the eighth.
• Mark DeRosa has played his last game? - DeRosa's wrist hit another setback last night, and it could mean the 2 year DeRosa experiment has failed for the last time.
• Sharks get Chewed Up - Sharks get destroyed in Game 2, specifically on power play after power play and lose 7-3.  No Sharks team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in team history.  The Sharks are 0-8 in series after losing the first two.  They have never even taken it 7 in any of those series.  Is this Sharks team the best of them all...only one way to prove it.
• A's lose in extras - A Daric Barton error in the 10th led to an unearned run and a extra innings loss for the A's.
• Ping Pong Balls bounce for Cleveland - Warriors haven't moved up to the top 3 since Joe Smith was the #1 overall selection by the team in 1995.  The Warriors will stay at 11, which means unless somebody in the top 10 wants a current Warrior more than their pick, the Warriors won't be getting a top 10 talent they so desperately need.
• Raiders Head Coach selling tickets - Everyone from the CEO to head coach Hue Jackson to actual ticket reps are being asked by the Raiders to sell season tickets during the lockout.  The Raiders decided instead of laying off their workers, creating furlough days or cutting back, they would put everyone to work.  Of all the strange things to come from Mount Davis, this one is one of the hardest to define.  Is it brilliant and encouraging, or is it crazy and typical of the organization?
• Richard Seymour and Jason Campbell in charge? - Seymour and Campbell are running a camp in Atlanta for all Raiders players, and 25 have already committed to being there for a four day camp.  Seymour will be in charge of the defense and Campbell will run the offense.

Saltzman Says...Memory Lane (Raiders Edition)

The last Oakland Raiders Super Bowl was in 1983, and this run by Marcus Allen sealed it.  However, I say, it was so long ago, why not show the run with Hall of Famer Bill King's Audio and Nintendo's graphics.  Enjoy.

Saltzman Says... Here is a Bay Area Reality Check

December 16, 2008.  Just two years ago.  Here was the status of our Bay Area Franchises just 730 days ago.

San Francisco Giants:  72-90

1. 4th in the NL West.   
2. Bengie Molina led the way with 16 Home Runs.
3. Matt Cain was 8-14 despite a 3.76 ERA
4. Barry Zito was 10-17 with a 5.15 ERA and 5 years and $106 million left on his contract.

Oakland A's: 75-86

1. Ryan Sweeney led the way with a .286 Batting Average
2. Jack Cust led the way with 77 RBI's (2nd on the team was Bobby Crosby with 61)
3. Justin Duchscherer led the way with 10 Wins
4. Huston Street led the way with 18 Saves

San Francisco 49ers: 7-9

1. Team Fired Mike Nolan in the middle of the season
2. Isaac Bruce led the way with 61 catches for 835 yards (2nd on the team was Bryant Johnson with 45 for 546)
3. J.T. O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill combined for 19 INT's and 55 sacks.
4. Vernon Davis only had 31 catches for 358 yards and 2 TD's.

Oakland Raiders: 5-11

1. Jamarcus Russell was the starting QB
2. The leading WR was Johnnie Lee Higgins with 22 catches for 366 yards and 4 TD's.
3. Team was 29th in scoring (263 points)
4. Team was 24th in points allowed (388 points)

Golden State Warriors:  29-53

1. Stephen Jackson was the leading scorer with 20.7 PPG
2. Corey Maggette was the 4th leading scorer.
3. Al Harrington and Jamal Crawford both complained their way out of town.
4. Monta Ellis only started 25 games because of an off-season "Moped Accident"

San Jose Sharks: 53-18-11

1. Lost in the Conference Quarter Finals to the Anaheim Ducks
2. They lost to the 8th seed, despite having the best record in hockey
3. Jonathan Cheechoo had 2 points in the post-season, Milan Michalek had 1 point
4. Evgeni Nabakov's save percentage was .890 in the postseason. (.910 in the regular season)

San Jose Earthquakes:  8-13-9

1. San Jose was awarded back their franchise after the original team moved to Houston.
2. Earthquakes finished 7th in the West and did not qualify for the playoffs.
3. The team now played at Santa Clara University
4. Landon Donovan was a distant memory, after leading the team until 2004.

San Jose Sabercats: 11-5

1. Lost Arena Bowl XXII to the Philadelphia Soul.
2. It was the last game played because the league closed up shop in 2009

--------------------------------------
TWO YEARS LATER...

• The 2010 San Francisco Giants won the World Series.

• The Oakland A's won 81 games, 51 of which came from their 4 young pitchers which included Dallas Braden's perfect game on Mother's Day.
• The San Francisco 49ers are in the playoff race for the first time since 2002
• The Oakland Raiders are in the playoff race for the first time since 2002
• The Golden State Warriors have new ownership and a young nucleus of Stephen Curry and co.
• San Jose Sharks are coming off their 1st ever trip to the Conference Finals, losing to the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks...and now we have their goalie.
• The San Jose Earthquakes qualified for the playoffs for the 1st time since coming back and upset the #1 seed in the Conference.
• The San Jose Sabercats are back.